Charles ‘Butch’ Kester Dec. 13, 1943 — Aug. 25, 2017

Charles ‘Butch’ Kester, age 73, of Boone, died Aug. 25, 2017, at the Boone County Hospital. Following his wishes, he has been cremated.

A Celebration of Charles’ Life, will be Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, beginning at 2 p.m., and will be held in his shop at 500 South Main St., in Boone.

Charles LaVern Kester, was born in Boone, Iowa on Dec. 13, 1943, the son of Frank and Belva (Dailey) Kester. He served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal With ‘V” Device, for his heroism in combat.

On Oct. 20, 1984, Charles married Penny Wilcox in Boone. Butch worked as a welder for Mid-State Steel.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, vegetable gardening, tinkering with small engines, and visiting with family and friends and sharing his advice.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Keith Ray Kester; a brother Ronald; three sisters, Lettie, Nadine, and Gertie; and a dog, BJ.

He is survived by his wife, Penny of Boone; his children, Johnny Kester of Oklahoma, Kim (Ray True) Miller of Boone, Charles (Kim) Donham (Kester) Jr. of Oklahoma, Teresa JoEllen Kester of Des Moines, and Jeffrey Kester of Moingona, Brandie Phipps of Pilotmound; two brothers, Randy Kester of Ogden and Dennis (Louie) Kester of Boone; four sisters, Rowena (Robert) Bray, Jeannie Porter, and Kathy (Burdel) Martin all of Boone, and Carol (Jake) Smith of Guyton, Georgia; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and his dogs, Girly and Buddy.

In memory of Butch, memorials may be directed to the family.

The Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall in Boone are helping the family with arrangements.